Translation guide
The act of moving to a new place, especially for work or personal reasons. In Japanese, the most natural expression depends on who is moving and why.
To express that someone is moving to a new home or location.
The most common word for moving house or changing residence. Used for personal moves.
来月、引っ越しします。
I'm moving next month.
引っ越しの準備で忙しい。
I'm busy preparing for the move.
A more formal term for moving house, often used in official contexts or written notifications.
転居のお知らせを送りました。
I sent a change of address notice.
Primarily used for relocation of businesses, offices, or facilities, not personal moves.
本社を東京に移転しました。
We relocated our headquarters to Tokyo.
To express that someone is being transferred to a different location by their company.
The standard term for a company transfer to a different office or location. Implies the move is ordered by the employer.
夫が大阪に転勤になりました。
My husband got transferred to Osaka.
転勤を断ることはできますか？
Can I refuse a transfer?
A broader term for personnel transfer, which can include relocation but also changes within the same location. Often used in HR contexts.
Refers to proceeding to a new post, often used for assignments in distant or overseas locations. Formal.
To refer to services that help with moving, such as packing and transportation.
The general term for moving services or moving companies.
引っ越しサービスを頼んだ。
I hired a moving service.
Refers to relocation support provided by a company for transferred employees.
会社が転勤サポートを提供しています。
The company provides relocation support.
To express that a company or organization is moving its premises.
The standard term for moving a business, store, or office to a new location.
店舗を移転しました。
We relocated the store.
Used for relocating equipment, facilities, or installations rather than an entire business.
引っ越し is for personal moves (changing residence). 転勤 is for company-ordered transfers of employees. 移転 is for moving businesses or offices. Using the wrong term can cause confusion.
移転 is not used for moving house. Saying 私は移転します sounds unnatural. Use 引っ越しします instead.
I'm being transferred to the Tokyo headquarters next month.
He will be posted to New York next month.
Relocate the factory machinery.